DOHA: Defending champion Mohammad Asif sealed his place in the knockout rounds of the IBSF World Snooker Championship, but only after a dramatic 4-3 victory over China’s Pan Yiming on Monday.

Asif seemed headed for a comfortable win, taking the first three frames 68-18, 74-35 and 90-37.

However, Pan mounted a stunning comeback, claiming the next three frames to force a decider. The Chinese player won the fourth frame 76-8, edged a tight fifth 78-58 and levelled the match with a 91-26 win in the sixth frame, which featured a 67 break.

The 43-year-old regained his composure to take the final frame 55-28, securing his progression from the group stage.

In contrast, Under-17 champion Mohammad Has­nain Akhtar was eliminated after a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Mohammed Shehab of the UAE.

Shehab dominated early, winning the first two frames 72-13 and 73-19. The 16-year-olf Hasnain responded by taking the next three frames: 67-29, 80-6 (with an 80 break) and 54-19.

Shehab, however, won the sixth frame 53-19 and clinched the match by taking a nail-biting final frame 68-62.

Meanwhile, other Pakistani players enjoyed a successful day. Asjad Iqbal beat Iran’s Hamed Zarehdoost 4-3 (61-24, 60-17, 52-53, 10-69, 11-80, 79-0(67), 75-7), while national champion Shahid Aftab defeated Darryl Hill of the Isle of Man 4-1 (3-56, 66-14, 80-6, 81-4(68), 61-52).

Their chances of advancing to the knockout stage depend on the final group matches.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2025